Ideas for Activity Directors

I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Leann in Lodi, California said: I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Here is a cheap but fun idea buy some lima beans,cups any size med works great, and items to decorate there rooms with dollar store items or holiday related. (Object) put 25 beans in the cup give everyone one a cup of beans. Know auction the items off by starting the bidding at 2 beans and see who wants the item the most buy keep upping the bid. I call it a Butter Bean Auction enjoyed by all alot.

Hi there I see that your posting has been here for a while but perhaps you will check back with it sometime,
the Lima beans are a good idea just be sure your test this game on residents with appropriate cognitive function (preferably seniors whom can distinguish a Lima bean used as a game piece and not for snack)
Resources in your area are going to be limited to other activity Directors or Program Directors, An activity Directors best friend is the Internet, that is where you will find current events up to date games plug and all the learnings of how to and who can's, Google everything you can and you will come to find a ton of great things that you can do with your residents. I love using NASCO (www.eNasco.com/fcs)
you can also call for a current NASCO catalog at but of course you have to work with the budget you have so you can always take ideas from there and tweek them and adapt to your activity calendar.
There is also Grimm and Gary Associates, now here is the most wonderful tool almost a bible type item if you will for all Activity people alike so if you don't purchase but one thing for yourself to use as a tool make this "Desk Top Activity Directors 12 month Calendar" the one thing you Buy!!!! it will save you when you have nothing else or it's a perfect for going to for last minute changes. Gary Grimm & Associates P.O. Box 378 Carthage, Il 62321

Use Youth groups where ever you can, call local churches, girl-scouts, boy-scouts, 4-H club, or simply offer Community service hours for local High school students. (make sure you have them follow your companies Volunteer policy and procedure guidelines most have to have parents permission for TB testing or a general letter granting permission to volunteer in your facility. well hope these ideas help some need more info e-mail me at yanezgoesgreen@yahoo.com any time!
Natasha Yanez PAD Central California (p.s you can e-mail me for the phone numbers if you want to I didn't realize you cna't put phone #'s here

Spring Activities,
I love this time of year; but I have realized that after 5 years of working in this field it gets tough to keep things fresh. Websites like this are great because you are able to communicate with people who understand

Leann in Lodi, California said: I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Hi Leann,

ElderSong Publications, www.eldersong.com, sells activity materials for older adults and offers a free online newsletter which has different activity ideas for every month. You might find this helpful. Good Luck!

Leann in Lodi, California said: I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Crafts Ideas: Jewelry making. Walmart has a great selection for age appropriate beads you can buy for less, my participants enjoy it and they get to wear their own creations (Earings, necklace, bracelets, etc.)

Sports: Basketball seated. buy a hamper or a basket thats big enough to fit a ball, and have participant bounce it into the basket instead of trying to shoot it directly.

Hockey: get hockey sticks from walgreens or right aide for kids toys. Make a goal using pvc pipes and have them sit on chairs or wheelchair (locked) two chairs on eighter side of the goal just like a real hockey game and two on the opposite side. Place two chairs on the opposing sides and place them in teams. I wish I could explain better but the same set up can be used for soccer ... they love it ... (jay) at delanoadhcc.com if you'd like to know more in details.

yanezgoesgreen in Sonora, California said: Hi there I see that your posting has been here for a while but perhaps you will check back with it sometime,
the Lima beans are a good idea just be sure your test this game on residents with appropriate cognitive function (preferably seniors whom can distinguish a Lima bean used as a game piece and not for snack)
Resources in your area are going to be limited to other activity Directors or Program Directors, An activity Directors best friend is the Internet, that is where you will find current events up to date games plug and all the learnings of how to and who can's, Google everything you can and you will come to find a ton of great things that you can do with your residents. I love using NASCO ( www.eNasco.com/fcs )
you can also call for a current NASCO catalog at but of course you have to work with the budget you have so you can always take ideas from there and tweek them and adapt to your activity calendar.
There is also Grimm and Gary Associates, now here is the most wonderful tool almost a bible type item if you will for all Activity people alike so if you don't purchase but one thing for yourself to use as a tool make this "Desk Top Activity Directors 12 month Calendar" the one thing you Buy!!!! it will save you when you have nothing else or it's a perfect for going to for last minute changes. Gary Grimm & Associates P.O. Box 378 Carthage, Il 62321

I am taking a AD certification course and need to conduct 2 interviews from Activity Directors of 5 + Years. If you have a few minutes to donate, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you very much!
(Interview 2 Activity Directors who have been in the field for over 5 years and write a two page paper describing the growth of our field. (ask questions about tricks of the trade and pointers, barriers faced, how to avoid burn out, activity programming, volunteers, and anything else you would like to know.)

Leann in Lodi, California said: I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Reguarding outings , you should call City Hall where you live and see if they have a Dial a Ride van or some type of transportation that can take people in groups.Where I live residents need to apply for a dial a ride card and transportation is about .40 cents a ride.Make sure that you call the responsible party for each resident prior to outing and give a list to the d.o.n. and charge nurse. Reguarding sensory activities, a good cheap activity for alzheimers/ dementia patients is any folding activity. I bought a bundle of different colored washcloths at walmart and a mini laundry basket. I have them fold ,sort by color(if able). You can also use the plastic colored easter eggs, this makes an inexpensive sorting activity.Some ideas for special events are Elvis week in January around his birthday, with an impersonator on his birthday, Senior Prom, dance complete with buttoniers corsages and banners to make your activity room look like a high school gymnasium, I like to do a car show for Fathers Day, and a Haunted House for Halloween . The residents love to participate in this activity.

Leann in Lodi, California said: I am a new Activity Director. Who has not had a chance to
explore all the different activities. I am in need of fresh
new activity ideas. ie sensory-stim,crafts,outings and how
to arrange an outing.And the holidays and using resources?
I would appriciate any ideas you could offer

Thank you Leann

Hi! Leane i think its great that you have chose to become an activity director
Are you a Certified Nurse Aide or do you have any experience in nursing homes or familiar settings?